GODFREY — Freer Auto Body is kicking off its 25th year in business by making a donation of child car seats to Alton Memorial Hospital.

The auto body shop will celebrate its silver anniversary all year, stated a news release, and this month the shop donated 25 car seats to the hospital’s Women’s Health and Childbirth Center. In continuing their community commitment, Freer will be sponsoring 12 months of sharing and caring, with each month representing a different special event.

“Babies cannot leave the hospital without being in a car seat,” family matriarch Margaret Freer said in the release. “The staff often is required to assist with this task. Our local nurses give of themselves every day and we do not want them to be burdened with finding car seats. We think this act of kindness will bring smiles to many faces.”

The Freers’ effort also has encouraged other community and business leaders to get involved. To date, Zeke Jabusch with the North Alton Godfrey Business Council, Keith Neuber with Creative Kids Learning Center, and Heritage Gardens have also committed to purchase car seats for AMH. Community members wishing to help out can purchase a car seat and deliver it to either Freer Auto Body, 4512 N. Alby St. in Godfrey, or to the hospital at 1 Memorial Drive in Alton.

Freer Auto Body opened in 1991 in a 1,500-square-foot building; presently, it calls a 17,000-square-foot technologically advanced facility home.

“Freer has always credited the community with its success because of the community support it received from day one,” Freer said.